Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria

Whitefly <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> (Gennadium, Hemiptera) causes severe damage to cassava plants through excessive feeding on leaves and transmitting viruses, such as <i>African cassava mosaic virus</i> (ACMV), <i>East African cassava mosaic virus</i> (EACMV), and ipo...

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Main Authors: Oghenevwairhe P. Efekemo, Olabode A. Onile-ere, Isaac O. Abegunde, Folashade T. Otitolaye, Justin S. Pita, Titus Alicai, Angela O. Eni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/11/906
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author Oghenevwairhe P. Efekemo
Olabode A. Onile-ere
Isaac O. Abegunde
Folashade T. Otitolaye
Justin S. Pita
Titus Alicai
Angela O. Eni
author_facet Oghenevwairhe P. Efekemo
Olabode A. Onile-ere
Isaac O. Abegunde
Folashade T. Otitolaye
Justin S. Pita
Titus Alicai
Angela O. Eni
author_sort Oghenevwairhe P. Efekemo
collection DOAJ
description Whitefly <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> (Gennadium, Hemiptera) causes severe damage to cassava plants through excessive feeding on leaves and transmitting viruses, such as <i>African cassava mosaic virus</i> (ACMV), <i>East African cassava mosaic virus</i> (EACMV), and ipomoviruses that cause cassava brown streak disease. Currently, little is known about the molecular diversity and distribution of whitefly species in the major cassava-growing zones of Nigeria. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap by assessing the genetic diversity, distribution, and associated cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) in whiteflies across South West and North Central, Nigeria. Whitefly samples were systematically collected from cassava plants during georeferenced epidemiological surveys in 2017, 2020, and 2022. The samples were genotyped using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (<i>mtCOI</i>) marker, and CMBs were detected by PCR with virus-specific primers. Phylogenetic analyses revealed four distinct genetic groups of <i>B. tabaci</i>: Sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1; 84.8%), SSA2 (1.4%), SSA3 (13.1%), and Mediterranean (MED) (0.7%). The SSA1 group was the predominant and most widely distributed genotype across the surveyed zones, with three subgroups identified: SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG3, and SSA1-SG5. The second most frequently identified genotype, SSA3, was restricted to the North Central zone, along with the SSA2 group, which was only identified in two North Central states (Niger and Plateau). <i>African cassava mosaic virus</i> (ACMV) was detected in SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG5, and SSA3, whereas EACMV was found in only the SSA1-SG3. The findings of this study will aid in developing better whitefly management strategies to reduce the impact of CMD on cassava production in Nigeria.
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spelling doaj-art-6ae73804d39e4d8abb148d4b207e8e762025-08-20T02:48:02ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-11-01151190610.3390/insects15110906Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, NigeriaOghenevwairhe P. Efekemo0Olabode A. Onile-ere1Isaac O. Abegunde2Folashade T. Otitolaye3Justin S. Pita4Titus Alicai5Angela O. Eni6Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota 112233, Ogun State, NigeriaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota 112233, Ogun State, NigeriaCentral and West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE) for Food Security, Covenant University Hub, Ota 112233, Ogun State, NigeriaDepartment of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota 112233, Ogun State, NigeriaRegional Center of Excellence for Transboundary Plant Pathogens, Central and West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE), Pôle Scientifique et d’Innovation, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan BPV 34, Côte d’IvoireNational Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), National Crops Resources Research Institute, Kampala P.O. Box 7084, UgandaRegional Center of Excellence for Transboundary Plant Pathogens, Central and West African Virus Epidemiology (WAVE), Pôle Scientifique et d’Innovation, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan BPV 34, Côte d’IvoireWhitefly <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> (Gennadium, Hemiptera) causes severe damage to cassava plants through excessive feeding on leaves and transmitting viruses, such as <i>African cassava mosaic virus</i> (ACMV), <i>East African cassava mosaic virus</i> (EACMV), and ipomoviruses that cause cassava brown streak disease. Currently, little is known about the molecular diversity and distribution of whitefly species in the major cassava-growing zones of Nigeria. This study aimed to address the knowledge gap by assessing the genetic diversity, distribution, and associated cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBs) in whiteflies across South West and North Central, Nigeria. Whitefly samples were systematically collected from cassava plants during georeferenced epidemiological surveys in 2017, 2020, and 2022. The samples were genotyped using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (<i>mtCOI</i>) marker, and CMBs were detected by PCR with virus-specific primers. Phylogenetic analyses revealed four distinct genetic groups of <i>B. tabaci</i>: Sub-Saharan Africa 1 (SSA1; 84.8%), SSA2 (1.4%), SSA3 (13.1%), and Mediterranean (MED) (0.7%). The SSA1 group was the predominant and most widely distributed genotype across the surveyed zones, with three subgroups identified: SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG3, and SSA1-SG5. The second most frequently identified genotype, SSA3, was restricted to the North Central zone, along with the SSA2 group, which was only identified in two North Central states (Niger and Plateau). <i>African cassava mosaic virus</i> (ACMV) was detected in SSA1-SG1, SSA1-SG5, and SSA3, whereas EACMV was found in only the SSA1-SG3. The findings of this study will aid in developing better whitefly management strategies to reduce the impact of CMD on cassava production in Nigeria.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/11/906<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>whitefly<i>mtCOI</i>genetic diversityhaplotypecassava mosaic disease
spellingShingle Oghenevwairhe P. Efekemo
Olabode A. Onile-ere
Isaac O. Abegunde
Folashade T. Otitolaye
Justin S. Pita
Titus Alicai
Angela O. Eni
Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria
Insects
<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>
whitefly
<i>mtCOI</i>
genetic diversity
haplotype
cassava mosaic disease
title Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria
title_full Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria
title_fullStr Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria
title_short Molecular Diversity and Distribution of Whiteflies (<i>Bemisia tabaci</i>) in Cassava Fields Across South West and North Central, Nigeria
title_sort molecular diversity and distribution of whiteflies i bemisia tabaci i in cassava fields across south west and north central nigeria
topic <i>Bemisia tabaci</i>
whitefly
<i>mtCOI</i>
genetic diversity
haplotype
cassava mosaic disease
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/11/906
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